By Tim Graham
New York Jets coach Rex Ryan chose not to run a single Wildcat play in the preseason. He's not going to keep it covered in the cage anymore.
Ryan told Jets reporters Monday he will unveil his Wildcat package in Sunday's opener against the Buffalo Bills at the Meadowlands.
"I think if we don't," Ryan said, "everybody's going to be like, 'Wait a second. You guys have been saying about this Wildcat, and we haven't even seen one snap of it.' But, sure, we're going to run some Wildcat. There's no doubt."
Ryan doesn't think the Bills will be surprised, noting the Wildcat connections between the Jets and Bills. The Jets' direct-snap, run-oriented offense previously was handled by Bills quarterback Brad Smith.
The Jets' offensive coordinator is Tony Sparano, who introduced the Wildcat as head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2008. Bills quarterbacks coach David Lee was on the Dolphins staff and taught Sparano how to use the package.
Ryan expects to see some Wildcat plays from the Bills and said the Jets have been practicing for them.
The biggest element of surprise might be how the Jets deploy Tim Tebow.
The Big Apple is having palpitations over what Tebow's role will be, and the mystery of not running any Wildcat plays in the preseason has only ramped up the intrigue.
"I can understand that there's a lot of interest there," Ryan said, "but it's kind of funny, really. We're just trying to field a good football team any way possible. I said from Day One, I thought Tim was an outstanding football player, and the fact we're using him as a personal protector, the fact he can run Wildcat, we've said that from Day One.
"We just haven't put it out there in the preseason games. I guess we'll find out on Sunday how much we'll use him that particular week."
